Shostakovich Leningrad

Jaap van Zweden conducts two World War II-era pieces showcasing the glorious sound of the CSO. Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, mostly written in Leningrad while the city was under siege, became symbolic of the indomitable spirit of both that city and of the Soviet people. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia from his opera Peter Grimes portray the sea on England’s eastern coast in all its power and transformative beauty.

May 22: Special preconcert exploration (6:30 p.m., Armour Stage): “Russian Poetry at War”
Robert Bird explores the impact of wartime on Russian poets. Presented by The Poetry Foundation. This presentation will be followed by a discussion of the evening’s repertoire with Gerard McBurney. Free and open to all ticketholders.

May 23: Special preconcert exploration (6:30 p.m., Grainger Ballroom): “Best of Shostakovich Film Scores”
This presentation will feature specially prepared collections of film clips featuring scores by Dmitri Shostakovich curated by John Riley (British Universities Film and Video Council). This presentation will be followed by a discussion of the evening’s repertoire with Gerard McBurney. Free and open to all ticketholders.

May 24: Special preconcert exploration (7:00 p.m., Grainger Ballroom)
Discussion of the evening’s repertoire with Gerard McBurney. Free and open to all ticketholders.